Article Number : 712 |
|
Article Detail |
|
 | |
| Date | 11/18/2005 10:00:26 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=712 |
| Abstract | Dalton—Recognizing what an important role maintenance plays in maintaining their products, Shaw Industries and Mohawk Industries have announced programs with the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) respectively, to service... |
| Article | Dalton—Recognizing what an important role maintenance plays in maintaining their products, Shaw Industries and Mohawk Industries have announced programs with the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) respectively, to service carpet covered by their warranties. “Since proper cleaning is a critical element in the life of carpet, it can make or break the consumer’s perception of the quality of a floor,” explained Jeff Lorberbaum, president and CEO of Mohawk. “Once our product is in her home, we lose much of the control over it. “Even if it is subjected to extra abuse, neglect or poor cleaning,” he continued, “the consumer still regards the floor as a Mohawk product so the more we can do to build value in her purchase and educate her on the proper cleaning maintenance techniques, the better off the entire industry will be.” Two years ago, Mohawk introduced its own professional carpet cleaning system. The Mohawk Professional Floor Care carpet cleaning system is a patented, proprietary technology which suspends and removes soils without residues. Its cleaning products are 100% non-toxic and safe for families and pets. Recently, the Mohawk Professional Floor Care System won a Gold Level rating from CRI’s Seal of Approval program. The quantitative measurements allowed by the introduction of NASA’s X-Ray Florescence (XRF) technology gave the industry an effective way of looking at not only what cleaning processes removed but what they left behind, noted Ed Williams, the comapny’s senior vice president of marketing. “Even for carpet cleaning processes that ultimately aren’t as effective, the perception can be that they work well, because you can see soil being extracted,” he explained. “What you don’t see is detergents and other compounds may still remain in the product.” XRF technology allows the CFI testing protocol to see dirt left behind from vacuuming and cleaning as well as what cleaning products remain in the carpet. Mohawk reinforced its commitment to the CRI program by announcing it will change its warranties to state that all carpet invoiced after Jan. 1, 2007, will require the use of products that have earned the CRI Seal of Approval. Shaw has announced a company-wide mandate allowing the use of only those firms certified by the IICRC to service carpet covered by its warranties. The requirement stems from an ongoing effort by Shaw to improve the quality of service providers throughout the industry. “Shaw’s mandate is a step in the right direction for the industry as well as consumers,” said Carey Vermeulen, IICRC’s president. “With a uniform, standardization approach to qualifying professionals, firms will be able to differentiate themselves from those businesses lacking necessary skills and training.” Consumers from North America and abroad will be able to identify and locate qualified professionals holding the IICRC Certified Firm designation. The new mandate will apply only to the residential market. Documentation will ensure that consumers will be directed only toward IICRC-Certified Firms for professional cleaning of residential broadloom under the terms of the new warranty. The policy will be effective Jan. 1, 2008, in order to give qualified businesses ample time to apply for IICRC-Certified Firm status. |